Whitney’s playoff bid falls short after tie with El Camino

Placer Herald/File PhotoWhitney High's Mallory Erl was among those seniors honored at Senior Night Friday just before the Wildcats' final home game against El Camino. Erl will attend Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio after graduation where she will continue playing soccer while pursuing a career in nursing.

Whitney High put together a great evening for Senior Night but their game against El Camino ended in a 1-1 deadlock and the class of 2013 walked off the Whitney playing field for the last time Friday night.

“This was a game in which we really needed to put all of our effort toward it in order to get it and unfortunately we came up short; but we put up a good fight,” said Erl, who will attend Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio on a soccer scholarship. “I love my team and everyone’s so close. We’re just one big happy family and I wouldn’t change anything.”

The ‘Cats opened the game on the attack but couldn’t get their shots into the net.

Then, El Camino’s Jasmine Bernardo broke past the Whitney defense and outmaneuvered McConnell for the only score of the first half.

Again, the two teams went at each other in the second half. The Wildcats went on a relentless attack of the Eagles’ goal allowing Ashley Hunter’s to score and tie the game 1-1 with 20 minutes remaining in the contest.

The Eagles tried to return the favor but an incredible defensive stand by the maroon-and-gold turned back the effort. The Wildcats again went on the attack but to no avail.

“Today, it was all about the seniors. All the seniors played,” said Whitney head coach Ana Jones. “This night was emotional because when I started coaching here this was my JV team and it’s kind of hard for me to let (the seniors) go. They have heart. I’m happy for them but sad that they didn’t make the playoffs.”